(CNN) - The conservative organization Club for Growth sharply criticized Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter for his decision to leave the Republican Party, calling the move a "cynical play for political survival."

The former chairman of the Club for Growth, Pat Toomey, has announced he is running for the GOP Senate nomination in Pennsylvania.

Full statement after the jump:

Club Statement on Specter's Decision

Press Release

Club for Growth Statement on Arlen Specter's Decision to Switch Parties

WASHINGTON – Upon learning that Arlen Specter has switched political parties, now joining the Democrats in a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate, Club for Growth President Chris Chocola issued this statement:

"Senator Specter has confirmed what we already knew – he's a liberal devoted to more spending, more bailouts, and less economic freedom. Thanks to him, Democrats will now be able to steamroll their big government agenda through the Senate.

"This also shows how unprincipled he is. Just a few weeks ago, he stated quite clearly that he was remaining a Republican because he thought he had 'a more important role to play there.' And he said 'the United States very desperately needs a two-party system.'

"This cynical play for political survival calls into question whether Pennsylvania taxpayers can believe anything Arlen Specter says. If his only principle is personal ambition, can he really be trusted with the serious issues that face our country?"

"The Club for Growth PAC enthusiastically endorsed Pat Toomey for Senate in Pennsylvania when Specter was pretending to be a Republican. Club members will be even more committed to Toomey's candidacy now that Specter has revealed his true identity."

soundoff(90 Responses)

Mike in Texas

Hmmm...The ultra conservatives in the Republican Party were going to go after him in the primaries. Why would he want to stay. Senator Shelby of Alabama switched in the 90's to the Repubs but I am sure Repubs don't remember that.

April 28, 2009 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |

Margarita from CO

OMG, this is better than a soap opera!!! The GOP, the party that just keeps on giving.....to the democrats!

April 28, 2009 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |

Dan, TX

I didn't quite see this much anger at Liebermann. Even after campaigning for McCain against Obama, the dems made peace with Liebermann, and he votes with the democrats on many issues.

The reality is that Spector still is a moderate republican. He is not one of the conservative republicans like Rove or Limbaugh. (and I'm sorry to insult conservatives and republicans, but that's what Rove and Limbaugh call themselves).

Like Spector, I consider myself a moderate republican. But I backed Obama, and I will continue to support him until the likes of Steele, Rove, and Limbaugh and the rest are no longer a cancer on our country.

April 28, 2009 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |

Alaskan Girl

The club for growth sound like a group of bitter out dated dinosaurs! Specter did the right thing-how sad they don't get the party has gone far righw wacko!!! I left too!!

April 28, 2009 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |

JA/TN

The GOP need to put polictics aside, and go about governing to fix this mess America face on all fronts, some short sighted GOP governors talk of rejecting the stimulus funds, well lets cut their riches, the governor of Texas talk of secession sore loser is what i see,Cheney should go hunting or get another heart check and Rush to rehab, the GOP is the main culprit for this mess because Bush was allowed to do everything he wanted, otherwise he would literally shut you down with lies, America should have had a civil uprising about six years ago, KUDOS Senator Spector

April 28, 2009 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |

hilary

Specter switches parties and all of a sudden he's a liberal? Give me a freakin' break. He may fall in line more with the Blue Dogs than the libs. The GOP is just mad cause they didn't see this coming.

April 28, 2009 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |

Mari( maybe one of my comments will be posted)

Isn't THIS SO SWEET........ for us, Liberals!! The GOP IS imploding!

My neighbor received a hideous email-forward from a rightwing-nut, that claims that HR 1388 will bring Hamas refugees to the U.S.! PLEASE, folks, when you get these emails check them out!

The "Club for Growth"?
We've had enough of conservatives growing things in this country over the past 8-years – and my how that pile of manure has grown!

Welcome Mr. Specter, welcome to the 60 seat majority.
Well, it will be 60 as soon as Al Franken gets sworn in!

It must really suck to be a "conservative" these days huh?

April 28, 2009 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

No More Incumbents

Same idiot, with a different bunch of fellow idiots. Thow out all incumbents. That's change you can believe in, and cause.......

April 28, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

kg

The club for growth? – is this like the hair club for old balding men?

April 28, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

Stroke, Ga

Club for GROWTH ? they really need a club for that because they can all use VIAGRA ! it works

April 28, 2009 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |

bsmith171

specter should be forced to RETIRE.
he is a dope.

republicans backed him in 2004.

April 28, 2009 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |

John

Did "Club for Growth" call Joe Lieberman's skedaddle from the Democrats a "cynical play for political survival?"

Didn't think so.

April 28, 2009 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

skyhawkdriver

Who really cares what good old boy arlen does??..democrat or republican??..it's all the same..just a bunch of spoiled brats living off the taxpayer nipple..he switched parties because he was going to get his butt handed to him in the next primary..abolish both parties and start over again.